Mystery Glutenings

[Leslie-FL]

I've been gluten free since April of 2007. I've done a lot of learning in that time and thought I pretty much had it down pat, but I still have symptoms of glutening every several weeks and I'm at a loss as to what it is I'm not noticing.

I live alone and cleaned out every non-gluten-free item from my home early on. I don't wear makeup and I call the manufacturers about every toiletry product I buy, and now that I know which ones are safe, I tend to stick to the same brands all the time. I check every vitamin or medication that I take, to make sure it is gluten free. I'm careful to look for shared-equipment warnings on labels and I stick with brands that I know have policies of clear allergen labeling. I stopped licking envelopes and use envelope glue instead. At work, I have my own toaster (I love my gluten free bagels toasted) and I buy the office and restroom supplies, so I make sure that even the hand soap is gluten free. I noticed that one of the two kinds of cat food my cat eats contains some sort of oats, so I wash my hands immediately after touching the bag to feed her or any time I touch her dish. I eat out much less often now, and only at restaurants that have gluten free choices.

I am wondering if I should bring my own microwave to work. One of my coworkers very often spills his lunch in the microwave and doesn't clean it up, and I don't know if it is gluten free or not. Maybe I'm being paranoid, since I don't know where this "mystery glutening" is coming from, but I can't help but wonder if maybe some of what has been spilled might get caught up in the steam when I heat water for tea, and then fall into my cup(?).

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[Phyllis28]

I use only cat food that is gluten free.

I use the micorwave at work but only with the food/drink covered and a new papertowel underneath. I would prefer to have my own microwave at my desk but fire regulations do not permit any appliances that heat.

Is it possible that someone else is using your toaster without you knowing about it? If I were able to have a toaster at work I would make sure it was out of sight if I was not using it.

Hope you figure this out.

[ShayFL]

Cats groom themselves non-stop. Their coat is covered in their saliva. She is putting gluten all over her coat. Everytime you pet her, you are getting gluten on your hands. I would find a gluten-free cat food. I have all my dogs on gluten-free food. They lick themselves.

That is my guess.

[jerseyangel]

My cat also eats only gluten-free food. I'm super sensitive and noticed a definate difference after we did away with the old food.

If you're sure that you're completely gluten-free, and are still having symptoms that act like a glutening, consider additional food intolerance--are you eating dairy?

Other foods to suspect: soy, corn, tapioca. Those are the top 3, although anyone can be sensitive to darn near anything Maybe keep a simple food diary listing everything you eat, drink, take as suppliments and meds and how you are feeling. After a while, you will begin to see a pattern (hopefully).

I have used microwaves in other's homes with no problems--I always use paper towel under my food container and if the container doesn't have a cover, I use paper towel there, too.

Good luck in getting to the bottom of this

[AliB]

Me too, I keep getting gluten symptoms yet I'm not sure where from. I'm beginning to get to the point where I'm wondering whether its worth bothering to eat!

I can't quite figure out why people give cats and dogs food with gluten in. They shouldn't have it either - no wonder we keep seeing situations where dogs have savaged their owners, or worse, children. If it affects our brains, just think what it is doing to theirs!

They are carnivorous. They are supposed to eat meat. Since when have cats and dogs eaten biscuits? Since stupid humans started to feed it to them! It gets surreptitiously mixed in with the food to fill it out. The cheaper the food, the more gluten it likely contains.

The manufacturers make cereal-based foods for carnivorous pets and herbivorous cattle are fed animal products in their feed. Then they wonder why things like BSE crop up.

What a daft topsy-turvy world we live in!

[YoloGx]

I find this line of investigation interesting. How can we track down these seemingly impossible sources of gluten? etc.? We know something is wrong, but what is it?

So here's my question. I have found cat food that is gluten free theoretically, however I wonder due to the presence of tocopherols. I am pretty sure they use the less expensive ones derived from wheat. So I always wash my hands after feeding my cats.

Maybe I should do as Ali suggests, just give my cats wet non glutenous cat food. However they seem to prefer the dry cat food, though I am certain after a while they'd eat anything. Any suggestions?

Should I/need I make my own? I've been a little reluctant since it is one more thing. However its completely true I am extremely sensitive, although I haven't noticed a problem so far with the cat food issue. However again--my ex boyfriend might be having a problem with the cat food at his house...since he is so wiped out all the time.

I did read that making one's own cat food for one's pets seems to be better for them since it ensures they get more moisture in their diets. It seems dry cat food can be hard on their kidneys.... Am hoping there are safe brands of wet cat food if nothing else or to use in a pinch. It would also be nice honestly to find a dry cat food that could be used in addition--without the tocopherols--or with the safe ones.

Though I still don't get how the Vitamin E can handle being cooked and still retain its vitamin E status.

Bea

[Leslie-FL]

Thank you to everyone who replied!

Those of you who feed your cats gluten free food: can you tell me what brand(s) you buy and if they are available in pet stores? Do you know if the brand(s) you use offer a Senior or Mature varitey? My cat's vet has recommended that for my cat. She is very sensitive to a lot of things as she ages.

Her main food has been Science Diet, which actually might be safe (I think the problem is another food I've been giving her as treats). I emailed them this morning and am waiting on their reply, but the FAQ on their web site says that the dry cat food is "wheat gluten free". I asked them if it is also free of barley, rye, and oats. The reason I suspect it may turn out to be ok is that she has been eating this food for very close to the same length of time that I have been on the gluten free diet, and until just a couple months or so ago, I was steadily improving, and my "brain fog" symptoms were pretty much a thing of the past.

Over the time I've been gluten-free, there have been times when I've accidentally eaten something I shouldn't, and I was always able to figure out what it was. I would always have the same series of mostly gastro-intestinal symptoms that lasted for about a week or so, and I'd be ok again. This last couple months, I've been having the GI symptoms off and on, but also this awful "brain fog" is coming back. It's affecting my job (after working so hard this last year to redeem myself from the affects on my job before I knew gluten was my problem) and I'm very uncomfortable with the thought of this getting as bad as it used to be before the gluten-free diet.

During about the same length of time I've been noticing the brain fog being back and getting worse, I have been giving my cat the other brand of food as "treats" (she gets sick if she eats regular cat treats) That is the food that has a mention of oats in its ingredient list. I never really thought about her transferring the gluten to me by licking her fur, and I should have thought of that. Especially during the last month or so, since she has been shedding and I've been brushing her and then spitting hair out of my mouth when it flies through the air. (I know; a non-cat-lover would probably really be grossed out by that.)

Anyway, that makes total sense.

Does anyone use Revolution on their pets' necks, for fleas and parasites? I doubt that is the problem since I've been using it on my cat for a year, as well, but I will check into it, just to be sure. I hope it is safe, because it works so well.

I work for a very small company and I'm not sure if my coworkers even know I have a toaster of my own - it's on my desk. I'm sure no one else has been using it because it would be extremely inconvenient for anyone but me. I do have a spare microwave at home, and it is very small - perfect for heating up lunch and water for tea - I may go ahead and take it to work, just to be on the safe side.

The only other thing that dawned on me is that I've been drinking more coffee in the last couple months, and I've been using a powdered non-dairy creamer. I don't actually remember calling the manufacturer to ask about it, though I think I would have. Just to be certain, though, I will contact them.

Thanks again to everyone!!

[jerseyangel]

Leslie--I use Science Diet Senior

[ShayFL]

Non Dairy Creamer.....remember "natural and artificial flavoring" can have gluten.

Animal fur doesnt bother me. Up till 6 months ago we had 4 dogs. 3 Great Danes and a Standard Poodle. The seniors both passed recently (6 mo ago and just 2 weeks ago we lost our 13 yo Great Dane). But I know hair.....LOL And it ends up in the most unusual places.

[Leslie-FL]

Leslie--I use Science Diet Senior

Yay!! That's what Emily eats - so it IS ok. I was hoping it would be, and thought it would be.

[Leslie-FL]

Non Dairy Creamer.....remember "natural and artificial flavoring" can have gluten.

Animal fur doesnt bother me. Up till 6 months ago we had 4 dogs. 3 Great Danes and a Standard Poodle. The seniors both passed recently (6 mo ago and just 2 weeks ago we lost our 13 yo Great Dane). But I know hair.....LOL And it ends up in the most unusual places.

Yep, it's the artificial coloring and flavoring that makes me wonder, but I'm sure I must have called them about it when I bought it . . . well, I'm almost sure. So I'll call again.

Yes, pet hair does turn up all over the place. I'm going to do a thorough vacuuming tonight, to speed up my feeling better.

[aikiducky]

Just curious - what are the ingredients of the non-dairy creamer you use?

Pauliina

[jerseyangel]

Yay!! That's what Emily eats - so it IS ok. I was hoping it would be, and thought it would be.

We've had no problems with it. We don't buy the cat treats any more, though--I've yet to find one without wheat. (not that I've done an exhaustive search). Instead, he enjoys a little cut up chicken or whatever meat we are having for dinner as a treat.

Definately check on the creamer--you never know....

Liquid Coffee Mate states gluten-free right on the container.

[Leslie-FL]

I got an email back from the Science Diet people. They said:

Thank you for visiting HillsPet.com and contacting us with your question. Your interest in our Company and our fine products is greatly appreciated.

We do use barley, oat fiber, and oat groats in some of our products to provide for nutritional value. We do not use any rye though. If there is a specific product you are inquiring about, you can see a list of the ingredients from our website under the Products section.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call our Consumer Affairs department toll free at 1-800-445-5777, 8AM-5PM, Monday-Friday CST or visit HillsPet.com.

Sincerely,

Josh Uhl

Senior Dietary Management Consultant

Consumer Affairs

I went to the pet store on my lunch break and bought a new bag of the Mature Adult 7+ Hairball Control. (The Mature Adult 7+ is the same as the Senior - the guy at the pet store said they have changed the name back and forth a few times - I couldn't figure out why I could find Senior sometimes, and then would have to buy Mature 7+ when I couldn't find Senior - they're the same thing). The ingredients for the Mature Adult 7+ Hairball Control are:

Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Animal Fat (preserved mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Mill Run, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iodized Salt, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Natural Flavor, DL-Methionine, Potassium Citrate, Taurine, Fish Oil, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, L-Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

I'm thinking of getting her some of the Adult Ocean Fish & Rice Recipe to use as a treat. The ingredientrs are:

Ocean Fish, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Chicken Liver Flavor, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Iodized Salt, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract, Beta-Carotene.

(Thought I'd share this, in case anyone else is looking for gluten-free cat food.)

I'm wondering, now, if the gluten ingredients in so many of the pet foods are the reason my vet wanted her on Science Diet. I never mentioned that I was gluten intolerant to him - that wouldn't have come up in the conversation - but I'd taken Emily in because she was having intestinal problems. They stopped, once I got her on Science Diet and off of any cat treats (other than another flavor of her food). Awwww, maybe my baby and I are more alike than I ever knew?

[missy'smom]

A while back when we were switching our boy's food because he seemed allergic, I asked the vet if it was gluten-free, for my sake and she told me that she had been to a conference recently and that they are seeing celiac disease in animals. So there's evidently some awareness out there amoung vets.

[YoloGx]

So is everyone assuming the mixed tocopherols in the cat food is OK? I have been getting IAMS regular for my two cats. The ingredients other than the tocopherols seem fine plus they love it.

However I don't assume that the tocopherols really are safe since it was one ingredient in various creams and shampoos that was still "getting me" since normal tocopherols usually are made from wheat germ unless otherwise specified. It made a huge difference in getting rid of joint pain and headaches by going off the tocopherols in these above mentioned products.

I also wonder how gluten-free the cornmeal is due to likely cross contamination. I suppose its all a matter of degree.

Washing my hands after handling the food seems like its adequate so far--though I try to not let my cat Tessa lick my face. After all, I am really sensitive to CC from just kissing someone after he drinks triple distilled whiskey or vodka.

Bea

[katie060206]

There is a brand of food called Innova Evo, it is available at some pet stores. It may be harder to find but my dogs and cats eat it.

[Leslie-FL]

A while back when we were switching our boy's food because he seemed allergic, I asked the vet if it was gluten-free, for my sake and she told me that she had been to a conference recently and that they are seeing celiac disease in animals. So there's evidently some awareness out there amoung vets.

Not long before I saw your post, I was talking on the phone with someone and said I wondered if animals could be gluten intolerant, especially, as someone else pointed out, since cats are carnivores and don't normally eat grains.

[Leslie-FL]

Just curious - what are the ingredients of the non-dairy creamer you use?

Pauliina

corn syrup solids, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (may contain one or more of the following oils: soybean, canola, sunflower, corn, or cottonseed), sodium caseinate (a milk derivative), depotassiium phosphate. contains 2% or less of mono- and diglycerides, sodium silicoaluminate, soy lecitihin, artificial flavor, artificial color.

. . . And I can't help but wonder how they can call it non-dairy when it contains sodium caseinate. Luckily, I don't seem to have a problem with dairy, except right after being glutened.

It's a store brand creamer (powdered). I'm still waiting to hear back from them. It seems that they told me, when I called about another product that was their store brand, that they follow the same labeling policy as several other companies, where they clearly list all allergens. The creamer bottle does say it contains milk and soy.

[aikiducky]

Yeah it's funny that most "non dairy" creamers actually contain milk. I guess they're ok for someone who is only lactose intolerant. But you eat/drink dairy with no problems, so that wouldn't be it?

Pauliina

[Leslie-FL]

Yeah it's funny that most "non dairy" creamers actually contain milk. I guess they're ok for someone who is only lactose intolerant. But you eat/drink dairy with no problems, so that wouldn't be it?

Pauliina

I don't think I have a problem with dairy. I eat a lot of cheese, for example, and the only time it ever bothers me is within a day or two of a glutening, when evidently the villi is sensitive/newly damaged anyway.

Until I hear back from the store/manufacturer of the creamer I've been using (re the artificial colors/flavors part), I'm drinking my coffee black. Just in case.

[lovegrov]

I can't imagine that either the microwave or the creamer is your problem.

richard

[home-based-mom]

I second the idea of keeping the food diary, and also noting where you are (home, work, ? ) as well as what you ate. You might discover something that way.

As far as pet food, I feed my cat Puring One, which I know isn't gluten-free, but is one of the very v-e-r-y few pet foods not on that recent recall list. Don't forget that all those pet foods that were recalled were recalled because they bought their ingredients from the same supplier, whether they were marketed as snobby high-end, or bargain basement cheap. My cat has spent almost all of his 11 years outside and seldom comes in for petting or anything else. (I gave up on him - that's how God made him and it's useless to fight it, so I leave him outside. Besides, ever though he has been shifted into neutral, he still pees on *everything* so being outside is better, anyway! He has a healthy fear of cars and has learned the hard way to sleep out of the reach of coyotes. )

I do hope you figure out what is making you feel sick!

[Ridgewalker]

Are all Iams and Science Diet foods gluten-free, or only certain varieties?